Average annual value of total ecosystem carbon (1971-2000) for the Eastern Oregon study area, USA

This map represents the mean annual value of total ecosystem carbon, simulated by the model MC1 for the 30-year period 1971-2000.  The data is from output variable C_ECOSYS in MC1 version B60.  The data is in units of grams of carbon per square meter; values range from 6739 to 77570 g C m-2.  The mean value is 35184 g C m-2.

The dynamic global vegetation model MC1 (e.g. Bachelet et al. 2001) was used to simulate vegetation dynamics, associated carbon and nitrogen cycle, water budget, and wild fire impacts at two study sites in eastern Oregon (Deschutes and Fremont-Winema National Forests) and in Arizona (Apache Sitgreaves National Forest area) in the context of a project funded by the USDA Forest Service (PNW 09-JV-11261900-003).
 
Historical climate input data used to run the model were provided by the PRISM group (Chris Daly, Oregon State University) at a 30 arc-second (800m) spatial grain.

The model was also run using future climate change projections from two general circulation models, CSIRO Mk3 and MIROC 3.2 medres. Future climate change climate datasets were generated through statistical downscaling from general circulation model output using a simple anomaly method and the climatology (1971-2000) from the PRISM group at 30 arc-second spatial grain.

 The model was run assuming that nitrogen demand from the plants was always met so that the nitrogen concentrations in various plant parts never dropped below their minimum reported values. A CO2 enhancement effect increases productivity and water use efficiency as atmospheric CO2 concentration increases.